Sheffield bus meeting to report Big Improvements

Up to 90% of buses running on time, with punctuality improvements of up to 15%

Cheaper, multi-operator CityBus tickets saving around 60,000 passengers up to 23% on fares

SHEFFIELD bus changes have driven big improvements to journeys, with up to 90% of services running on time.

Reports show punctuality increased by up to 15% since timetables were revised earlier this year in response to passenger feedback, and average weekly performance has returned to 86%. Around 60,000 passengers are benefitting from cheaper tickets, and bigger buses on busy routes have increased capacity.

Sheffield Bus Partnership will report on the new figures at a public meeting at Sheffield Town Hall on 29 February, after passenger comments and journey data were used to make service improvements in January and February. Members of the public can register their interest to speak in writing to The Clerk, SCR Combined Authority, 18 Regent Street, Barnsley, S70 2HG, by email at AskTheCAChair@syjs.gov.uk or online at www.southyorks.gov.uk

It follows a review of the city’s bus network in November 2015, informed by public consultation, to better co-ordinate timetables and reduce bus congestion by joining-up and removing duplicate services on common routes. While maintaining 99.2% of bus stops or places served, resource savings through the new city-wide network have been reinvested to offer cheaper tickets for passengers.

The popular CityBus Day (£4), 7 Day (£14) and 28 Day (£49) from TravelMaster can be used on any bus in Sheffield and offers a discount of up to 23%, with prices fixed until April 2017.

A Sheffield Bus Partnership spokesperson, said: “We have seen big improvements in Sheffield’s buses since the New Year. Punctuality levels are some of the highest ever recorded with more services running on time. We have cut congestion on busy city roads through better co-ordinated services. Thousands of passengers are also benefitting from cheaper tickets as a result, that complement the city-wide network by making it easier to get on the first bus that comes along.

“Service issues were experienced due to the scale of bus changes at the network review in November. Over the past months we have listened to passengers and analysed on-board data to make journey adjustments to address this. Through working in Partnership, we have firmly steered Sheffield’s buses back on route and we are pleased with these latest improved results. We will continue to monitor customer feedback about services to ensure they are meeting community needs.”

Sheffield Bus Partnership is a voluntary agreement between Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, First South Yorkshire, Stagecoach in Sheffield, Sheffield Community Transport and TM Travel.